| Period | January 17, 2023 (Tue) - March 31, 2023 (Fri) |
|---|---|
| Place | Virtual Tohaku exhibition rooms (in Cluster) |
| Notes | There may be some downtime for maintenance. Please refer to the special website for details. |
| Fee | Free |
| Participation Method | Participation is possible from a VR device, smartphone, or PC/Mac. *Participants must register a free Cluster account and install the Cluster app on the device to be used. Register a Cluster account: https://cluster.mu/ Download the Cluster app: https://cluster.mu/downloads |
| Special Website | https://virtualtohaku.jp/eurekatohaku1089 |
| Organizers | Tokyo National Museum; National Center for the Promotion of Cultural Properties; TOPPAN Inc.; Japan Arts Council; Agency for Cultural Affairs |
| Inquiries | Administrative Office (TOPPAN Inc.) Email: eurekatohaku1089@toppan.co.jp |
To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Tokyo National Museum, the metaverse space “Virtual Tohaku” presents the Virtual Exhibition “Have a Eureka Moment with National Treasures of Japan” introducing all 89 National Treasures at the Tokyo National Museum (“Tohaku”) in a virtual space.
*This is an exhibition in the metaverse space Cluster, not an exhibition of actual artworks.
- Virtual Tohaku Pre-Opening
- https://cluster.mu/w/9d0a81b9-f6dd-4bc5-b8dc-801ab1e82d71
- Ahead of the event, the grand staircase of the Virtual Tohaku Honkan, the entrance to the exhibition venue, was pre-opened on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.
Exhibition Highlights
National Treasures were crafted in centuries past and handed down through the ages. There is no right way to appreciate these works, so we are free to enjoy them how we like, from our own points of view.
This exhibition has three parts: “getting to know” National Treasures, “getting immersed” in them, and “connecting” with them, providing multifaceted views of all 89 National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum’s collection.
Archimedes is said to have shouted “Eureka!” when he discovered buoyancy. We hope that viewing these National Treasures passed down through the ages and making discoveries about them will inspire your own “eureka” moment.
A virtual library that is an easy way for even beginners to understand the features of Japanese art
You can view all 89 National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum’s collection in the metaverse. National Treasures with broad diversity in terms of medium and time period are displayed in four rooms divided by era based on the keywords “Japanese poetry,” “season,” “material,” and “color.” You can view them and enjoy learning about the features of Japanese art and National Treasures.
Development concept image of virtual exhibition space for Part 1: “Getting to Know National Treasures”
Produced by: Tokyo National Museum; National Center for the Promotion of Cultural Properties; TOPPAN Inc.
A virtual exhibition space to immerse yourself in the worlds of the artworks
The worlds of two National Treasures are recreated in the metaverse space. Experience feeling like your avatar has stepped inside the National Treasures.
This virtual exhibition room based on Pine Forest, one of the Tokyo National Museum’s most famous National Treasures, recreates the pine forest painted by Hasegawa Tōhaku. Tōhaku created a sense of perspective using only shades of monochrome ink. By experimenting with moving around some of the pine trees within this space, you can experience the wonders of his varying arrangements and sense of perspective created through shading alone.
Development concept image of exhibition space based on the National Treasure Pine Forest in Part 2: “Getting Immersed in National Treasures”
Produced by: Tokyo National Museum; National Center for the Promotion of Cultural Properties; TOPPAN Inc.
This virtual exhibition room based on the National Treasure Writing Box with the Eight-Plank Bridge recreates the Eight-Plank Bridge of Mikawa Province as it appears in The Tales of Ise. Immerse yourself in the world of Ogata Kōrin by gathering written characters around the space to complete a poem composed by the protagonist of The Tales of Ise and stepping inside the writing box as an avatar. Inside the writing box, Ogata Kōrin’s designs on both the inside and outside of the box can be seen overlayed so that viewers can appreciate the design of the entire box.
Development concept image of exhibition space based on the National Treasure Writing Box with the Eight-Plank Bridge in Part 2: “Getting Immersed in National Treasures”
Produced by: Tokyo National Museum; National Center for the Promotion of Cultural Properties; TOPPAN Inc.
Collaborations by contemporary artists sold as NFTs
Rediscover the wonders of Japanese art through artworks by contemporary artists reinterpreting the National Treasures in the Tokyo National Museum’s collection in new ways.
The exhibition room will open on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, and the artworks will go on display on Friday, March 17.
The artworks will go on sale as NFTs on Friday, March 3. A portion of the proceeds will be used for the Museum’s operations and the conservation of cultural properties, etc.
Related Information
Free commemorative NFTs (NFT airdrops) will be distributed in the virtual exhibition rooms beginning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.
*The NFT airdrops have three parts, each with an exclusive design. A total of three parts will be distributed according to each exhibit opening.
*The NFT airdrops can be obtained from signs set up in the virtual exhibition rooms.
Concept images of NFT airdrops (Development concept images may differ from the actual NFTs distributed.)
- Official Twitter Account
- https://twitter.com/erktohaku1089
- ＠erktohaku1089